Ogun doctors begin indefinite strike Monday

Doctors in the employment of Ogun State Government have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike starting from June 13, 2016.

They, however, said the strike would be staggered.


Addressing journalists at a press conference at the secretariat of the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, the doctors said the decision was reached at the emergency meeting held on June 7, 2016.

The doctors, who are under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ogun chapter, said general hospitals in the state lacked basic equipment, adequate drugs and enough health workers.

Chairman of the association, Dr. Oladunni Adetola, said the doctors would be on strike every Monday and Tuesday of every week and this would continue indefinitely unless the state government acceded to their demands.

He said medical personnel who retired statutorily and those who left for other health institutions had yet to be replaced many years after.

Adetola said, “Our general hospitals over the years have been experiencing drastic reduction in the number of personnel.

“Most of our hospitals have less than half of the personnel they had about seven to eight years back.

“This stems from those who retired statutorily to those who left for other institutions where better remuneration is obtainable. “Imagine a general hospital having only a doctor. What is the quality of service expected from such a centre?

“The effect of this is quite glaring in the poor health indices of the state. Arising from emergency general meeting of the association held on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, it was resolved that members should commence on a Monday and Tuesday strike every week, starting from June 13, 2016 till the problems are corrected.”